Dr. Honey questions the Premier regarding the Minister for Forestry's alleged failure to ensure furniture-quality logs are delivered to mills instead of being used as firewood. The Premier defends the government's approach, citing the upcoming Forest Management Plan and land clearing operations as sources of timber.

AnsweredQoN 595Legislative Assembly
Asked
31 August 2023
Portfolio
Premier

QuestionView source ↗

HARDWOOD TIMBER INDUSTRY
595. Dr D.J. HONEY to the Premier:
I have a supplementary question.
Given the Premier's response, why is it that the Minister for Forestry
has failed to ensure that those furniture-quality logs are in fact being
delivered to mills and not being used for firewood?

AnswerView source ↗

Who
said that the minister has failed? As I said, the forest management plan does
not actually begin until next year . We
will continue to manage all the stakeholders to ensure that we do two things:
one, that we end native old-growth logging, which is an important
achievement and, two, that we continue to work with stakeholders, particularly
the workers and the sawmills —
Dr D.J. Honey : It is
mine-clearing operations.
Mr R.H. COOK : I know that.
Several members interjected.
The SPEAKER : Order, please!
Mr R.H. COOK : We will
continue to work with all stakeholders as we transition through this important
process. Obviously, when mining companies
clear land under their mine management plans and are authorised to do so, that provides another opportunity to access very precious logs and timber. Clearly,
we want to maximise that outcome. I stress that it is some time before the FMP
actually takes place, and we will continue to monitor the situation.
The SPEAKER : Members, that
concludes question time.

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